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PBS’ hit series Masterpiece brings to audiences another gripping murder mystery this spring when it releases Grantchester on DVD and Blu-ray.

Grantchester will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on Tuesday, April 7th. The story is based on author James Runcie’s novel Sidney Chambers and the Shadow of Death. It picks up just after the end of World War II. Elizabeth II had just become queen. And Grantchester’s local priest was one of the town’s most respected figures. A lawyer in nearby Cambridge is found dead. A suicide note, a gun, and alcohol point directly to an open and shut case. But confessions to local priest Sidney Chambers reveals much more than Inspector Geordie Keating had thought. The confessions lead the pair to team up solve what turns out to be a murder. Audiences can check out a trailer for Grantchester online now via YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3tzFp5CeAU.

Grantchester stars James Norton (Rush, Death Comes to Pemberly, Mr. Turner) as Sidney Chambers. He is joined by Robson Green (Being Human, Mount Pleasant, Strike Back) as Inspector Geordie Keating. Also on board for this mystery are: Morven Christie (The Young Victoria, Death in Paradise, Sirens) as Amanda Kendall, Tessa Peake-Jones (Only Fools and Horses, Casualty, Doctors) as Mrs. Maguire, Al Weaver (Sherlock, Me and Orson Welles, Doom) as Leonard Finch, and Pheline Roggan (Soul Kitchen, Chiko, Kebab Connection) as the widow of lawyer Stephen Staunton, the series’ first victim.

Grantchester will be available Tuesday, April 7th on DVD and Blu-ray. The series is spread across six episodes for a total run time of 360 minutes. It is spread across two discs on both its DVD and Blu-ray release. The DVD set will retail for MSRP of $34.99 and the Blu-ray set for $39.99. Both can be ordered online along with a DVD/Book combo and Blu-ray book combo via PBS’ online store at http://www.shoppbs.org/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&kw=grantchester&origkw=grantchester&sr=1.

More information on this and other titles from PBS is available online at:

Spock’s Beard, as a band, has been through so much since the release of its debut record way back in 1995. Since that time, the band has seen lineup changes. It has also seen its albums released on a number of different record labels. Through it all, the members of this prog-rock fan favorite have weathered every storm. And it’s because the band’s members have kept going that the band has released in its new album, Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep, some of its best material to date. The band’s new double-disc album evolving even more from its equally impressive fan-funded tenth album, fitting titled X.

A big part of the reason that the band has evolved sonically on this album is that the band played a little game of musical chairs so to speak. Nick D’Virgilio, who had previously replaced Neal Morse on vocal duties, left the band after the release of X. D’Virgilio had originally handled drumming duties for the band while Morse was still the band’s vocalist. So having D’Virgilio out, the band was joined on this album by a new vocalist and new drummer. This brought a whole new feel among the band, obviously. That’s evident from the very beginning of the first disc in ‘Hiding Out.’ The song’s opening strains offer an interesting take on composer Edward Grieg’s ‘Morning’ from the Peer Gynt Suite before going into a full on old school rock vibe complete with guitar and keyboard solos. This is the kind of song that will make even Dream Theater fans proud as the similarity between the two is there, musically speaking. The song’s musical side is a good fit with its introspective lyrics, too. New singer, Ted Leonard soars effortlessly through the song as he sings, “I need you now to come and find me/I’m hiding out in a den of thieves/Be sovereign now, don’t’ crucify me/I’m hiding out!” In the same vein, he maintains control even in the song’s more intense moments, yet still has his own intensity. It’s just the start of what’s to come on this standout album among the band’s current catalogue.

The album’s second track keeps the energy flowing with its obvious Rush influences. Leonard again shows listeners that he was the right choice to take over for Nick D’Virgilio. And new drummer Jimmy Keegan gets to exhibit his skills behind the kit. His ability to handle some pretty touch polyrhythmic patterns is impressive to say the least. Keeping in mind the Rush influence in this song, he definitely holds his own with Neil Peart here. One could even argue that he shows he’s just as good as fellow prog heavyweight Mike Portnoy. Lyrically speaking, it would be interesting to find out the story behind the song. It sounds like a story about someone with quite the storied past. Leonard sings of his subject, “I know the secret that you keep/I know the demon deep inside/I know the reason you can’t sleep/I know the past you’d like to hide/I know the monster you have made/I know the wars you don’t regret/I know the blood that stains the blade/You know I won’t let you forget.” Suffice it to say with such lyrical content and such a powerful musical side, this song is certain to be a topic of discussion for fans. Then again all of this album’s songs are sure to be topics of discussion for both their musical and lyrical side. Another prime example of this is the closer on the first half of the album, ‘Waiting for Me.’

‘Waiting for Me’ is an epic twelve-minute plus opus that bridges the band’s gap between its past and its future while also incorporating some other influences at the same time. The guitar and keyboard solos throughout the song’s mid-section will instantly conjure thoughts of Pink Floyd. The song’s “A” section and “C” section expertly bookend that middle, making for a solid end to the first half of the album. The song screams to be played live. The manner in which it ultimately crescendos to its final seconds, is incredible. One can listen to this song, eyes closed, and almost see a setup like that of Floyd performing The Wall live with this song to equal joy from audiences. The second half of Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep picks up right where the first half of the album left off. It has that certain heaviness exhibited throughout the first half of the album in ‘The Man You’re Afraid You Are.’ ‘Down a Burning Road’ exhibits more of that mix of the band’s past and present, musically speaking, while ‘Wish I were Here’ perhaps offers a glimpse of what is to come in the future for this band. It’s another rather heavy piece that would make any prog-metal fan proud. This is another one of those songs, judging by its lyrics, about which it would be interesting to learn the story considering it was written by Alan Morse. On one hand, it could be a commentary, considering how Leonard sings about “Watching TV with Dave (perhaps Letterman?), eating Hot Pockets and drinking PBR. Again, it is that ability to make audiences think and create discussions that makes this another high point to the album. That ability to get audiences thinking and talking along with the song’s music makes it so impressive.

By the time that audiences get through ‘Wish I Were Here’ and the remix of Something Very Strange’ (which is strange yet interesting in its own right), they will realize that they have experienced something very special. This is especially the case for long-time fans of Spock’s Beard. They will realize that what they have experienced is an album that is one of the best works released by Spock’s Beard to date. Fans don’t have to wait to check out these and all of the songs on this album. It is available now in stores and online. It can be ordered direct online from the Spock’s Beard online store at http://spocksbeard.com/buystuff.html. After ordering the new album, fans can keep up with the latest news and updates on the band’s tour online at http://spocksbeard.com, http://www.facebook.com/spocksbeard, and http://twitter.com/SpocksB.

Anthrax has proven once again with its new EP, Anthems, why it is still one of rock’s elite bands. This veteran rock act has crafted in its new release a work that is perfect in every way. From the sequencing to the sound to the very packaging, everything that could have been done right was done right. Sure, it probably is essentially a space filler between albums, but even if that is the case, it is one heck of a space filler. It’s a musical history lesson for rockers of all ages. Here, audiences get a band that by comparison to the bands it covers is relatively young. Yet it shows that it knows the classics through some expert renditions of said classics.

Anthems opens with a cover of Rush’s ‘Anthem.’ This song originally appeared on Rush’s album, Fly By Night. That Anthrax would cover Rush is a mind blower in and of itself. Considering the style of music for which Anthrax is known, one would not instantly consider such a polar opposite sound to be any kind of influence on the band. So that in itself is an eye opener. That the band so expertly covered the song is even more of an eye opener. The band paid homage to Rush and the song with its cover, but still added its own touch to the song, too. Front man Joey Belladonna makes the song even more solid of an opener when he sings the line, “Welcome to the world.” When Geddy Lee first sang those words, they obviously had their own meaning. But having Belladonna sing those same words, they somehow take on a whole new meaning. Since this is the EP’s opener, it could be argued that those words take on an introductory fashion for new listeners and a whole new introduction even for those more seasoned audiences. Given, that probably wasn’t the intended function of that line. But it does seem to have that impact.

The band’s new EP only gets better from the opening cover. The EP’s second track is a cover of another legendary band’s song. The band’s cover of AC/DC’s ‘TNT’ is without a doubt, one of this disc’s major high points. One can’t help but focus yet again on front man Joey Belladonna. Maybe it is just this critic’s own take on the song, but Belladonna sounds eerily like the late great Bon Scott in every sense in this song. Had one not known it was him, one might actually have thought it was the original song. This is also thanks in part to guitarist Rob Caggiano, who earlier this year announced his departure from the band. His take on Angus Young’s guitar work on this rock classic pays Young full honor. And drummer Charlie Benante’s drumming is just as solid as that of Phil Rudd. This is one that one could easily see the band performing live as it tours the country on the Metal Alliance Tour this Spring.

If Anthrax’s covers of ‘TNT’ and ‘Anthem’ aren’t enough for fans, then the cover of Boston’s ‘Smokin’’ will impress audiences. This is yet another spot on cover that keeps the energy flowing from the EP’s first two tracks. Older, more experienced rockers will love how the band handles this track. And that such a young band by comparison could so expertly handle this classic will make older audiences smile, too. Younger audiences will love it too simply because the band shines here even more. It’s as if the band just keeps getting better and better on every track. This is the case with the remaining trio of covers included here, too. Those covers lead into the inclusion of two more bonuses in the form of ‘Crawl’ and its remix of sorts.

‘Crawl’ was taken from the band’s 2011 album, Worship Music. Including both this track and its remix was actually quite smart. Whereas so many bands in a case such as this would only include the redone track or live track, Anthrax and Megaforce Records have included both tracks, thus offering audiences the chance to compare and decide for themselves which version of the song they like better. Regardless of which song becomes one fan’s favorite or another’s these last two tracks help the EP close just as solidly as it opened. It goes without saying that if any one negative that could be said about Anthems, it is that the band chose to make this an EP, instead of a full length album. Here’s to hoping one day, fans will see that happen. Until then, fans can listen to his EP to their hearts’ content as the EP is available now both in stores and online. It can be ordered online direct from the official Anthrax website here: http://anthrax.com/2013/03/19/anthems-is-here/. Worship Music can be ordered directly via the band’s official website also at http://shop.anthrax.com/shop.cfm/pk/category/ac/detail/cid/409267/prodid/412162.

Fans can get a chance to win a copy of Anthems for free right now and the chance to see the band live at its stop in Charlotte, North Carolina next month from the Phil’s Picks blog and Facebook page when they “Like” the Phil’s Picks Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/philspicks. Just “Like” the Phil’s Picks Facebook page and say you want to be entered for the chance to win an EP and to see the band live.

The debut album from rock supergroup Something Unto Nothing is perhaps the first great rock record of 2013. The band—Sass Jordan (Canadian Idol), Brian Tichy (Whitesnake, Billy Idol, Foreigner, Ozzy Osbourne), Michael Devin (Whitesnake, Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience, Kenny Wayne Shepherd), and Tommy Stewart (Godsmack, Lo Pro, Everclear, Fuel) have come together for a record that’s a solid, no-nonsense rock record. The project was originally started by Jordan and band mate Brian Tichy. Tichy notes in an interview about the album, “I had played drums on Sass’ Rats record.” He added, “I knew she was one of the best rock singers out there. So after many years, we reconnected and tried a bit of writing together.”

Fans of the stoner rock genre will especially enjoy this album as it opens with a sound similar to the likes of Fireball Ministry, Nebula, and others of that ilk. Jordan even noted in an interview of how the album came to develop its sound. “As we continued the songwriting path from the quintessential rock tunes, ‘Burned’ to ‘Mobile Again’ to ‘Nomad’ and on…The whole thing started to take shape in the form of a 70’s odyssey, a time travel trajectory”, she said. That couldn’t be truer. The album’s opener, ‘Burned’ will take audiences back to rock’s heyday thanks to the combination of Sass’ vocals and the band’s musical backing. Sass sounds like some wild hybrid of Janis Joplin and fellow veteran vocalist, Geddy Lee (Rush). Stewart expertly keeps a solid 4/4 beat for the band all while tossing in some nice little flourishes throughout. And Tichy’s guitar work is just as solid here. Just as Stewart’s drumming proves the K.I.S.S. formula true, so does Tichy’s guitar work. There’s nothing overdone about what he does here. But it’s that simplicity and solid playing that makes this the right choice for a first impression on this record.

The band follows up the success of ‘Burned’ with an equally simple yet rocking song in ‘Crazy Head.’ There’s no question what this song is about, lyrically speaking. It’s a song about a relationship issue. Given, that’s the most common lyrical topic of any song. But it’s the way the topic is tackled both lyrically and musically that makes it such an interesting piece. Jordan sings in the song, “You, You, you/You’re crazy/Don’t you call me baby/You, you , you/You’re crazy/You got a crazy head.” It’s amazing what a few words can do. But that chorus is enough to explain everything that’s needed to understand this song. This is not just some “oh-woe-is-me” style song. This is coming from the standpoint of a strong empowered individual. It’s someone who isn’t going to take any junk from anyone. Add in the music’s fiery exuberance, and that becomes increasingly clear. Yet again, Brian Tichy shines on this song, adding a solo that would make any guitar purist proud.

The band continues much in the same style in the album’s very next song, ‘Nomad.’ This is one of those songs that will instantly have the horns in the air and the hair flying as heads bang. It’s sure to become a fan favorite both from the record and both as the band hits the road to perform the songs from this album live. And for those worrying about whether or not this first trio of songs is all that the band has to offer on its debut, those fears are instantly silenced as the band launches in the Red Hot Chili Peppers style funk-rock of ‘Did Me No Good.’ Together, Tichy and bassist Michael Devin make for a sound that would make RHCP guitarist and bassist Josh Klinghoffer and Flea happy. The band barely lets up from here with the southern rock styling of the album’s next two tracks, ‘Mobile Again’ and ‘I’m The One.’ ‘Lynyrd Skynyrd fans will appreciate ‘Mobile Again’ with its classic southern rock sound. The same applies with ‘I’m The One.’ There’s more than enough rock to make any rock purist happy. For those who want something a little softer, Something Unto Nothing offers that, too as it only slows down a few times. That slowing is just enough to let listeners catch their breath before the band launches into its next aural assault. The last of the slower songs is the album’s closer, ‘Goodbye.’ On the surface, it would appear that this is a breakup song as Jordan sings, “I don’t want to leave you/But I’ve got to say/Goodbye.” And given the song’s tone, it would appear even more that this is a song about a breakup. But on a deeper level, it could also be interpreted as Jordan and company saying goodbye for now. It’s as if she and her band mates are collectively saying, “We’ve had a blast entertaining you, and we don’t want to have to leave, but we have to say goodbye.” On that level, it’s a fitting end to what is without a doubt one of the first great rock records of 2013.